17 Jul 2014

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) veteran, Mr Patrick Balopi has pleaded with Ramotswa constituents to ensure that the constituency remains under the party during the upcoming elections.

Mr Balopi, who is also former Speaker of the National Assembly, said this when launching BDP Ramotswa constituency parliamentary and council candidates on July 12.

He said since independence, the BDP had uninterrupted reign in the constituency and that had to continue owing to the party’s contribution to the country’s development. “I am not boasting, I am just making a statement of fact,” he said. 

He said no political party had an enormous track record in the development of the country other than the BDP. Since independence, he said, the party had built a huge network of roads, telecommunication infrastructure, developed its currency as well as developing the country’s human capital.

Hence, he pleaded with the party faithful not to be discouraged by criticisms from the opposition parties but to focus on their mandate of developing the country and its people.

“You have a lot to lose, you are a responsible party which has been mandated to run the affairs of this county,” he added. He said the country’s track record speaks for itself in the international arena.

Mr Balopi said BDP followed democratic ideals, adding that despite that the opposition was in the minority during first Parliament, the ruling party never thought of turning the country into a one party state.

This, he said, showed that the party believed in democratic ideals, adding that it was the same BDP government that had produced opposition parties which never see anything positive done by the party.

Member of Parliament for Ngwaketse West, Mr Mephato Reatile called upon Ramotswa residents to shun the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) saying it was sowing seeds of tribalism.

Mr Reatile said BCP was a party which believed in social class adding that an example could be drawn from its shadow cabinet which he said excluded some sitting members of parliament because of their class.

Mr Reatile also said BCP did not have programmes in place to counter the ruling BDP other than castigating its leader President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama. 

For his part, BDP Ramotswa constituency parliamentary hopeful, Mr Odirile Motlhale encouraged voters to judge him and his competitors from the opposition on their previous performance record.

He said there has never been any parliamentary session which has passed without him asking question and tabling motion which benefit Batswana.

Mr Motlhale said his successful motions include that of the constituency development fund, national accident fund and a motion which caused a commission of inquiry at Botswana Development Commission.

Hence, he said he pleaded with the continents to vote for him and his council candidates so that he would continue to advocate for their welfare. During the upcoming election, Mr Motlhale will tussle with Mr Rodger Mphafe of Umbrella for Democratic Change, Mr Samuel Rantuana of BCP and an independent candidate Mr Tshekiso Sorinyane.  ENDS